Remembering Chris Pape
MANY people in Wokingham will know Chris Pape, who died earlier this month. Most recently, she worked for Just Around The Corner (JAC), helping young people who, for whatever reason, needed some additional support. This included her long-held vision to op
MUM (Christine Rose Holland), was born in 1949 in Oxford. She went to teacher training college in Brighton, then moved to Wokingham in the early 70s as a teacher at High Close School, working for Barnardo’s.
Mum became active within the Youth Service, taking on more responsibility and eventually running Wokingham Youth Centre in the 70s.
This is where Mum and Dad (John) met, as Dad was running a Duke of Edinburgh scheme. They married in 1975.
There are three of us children (Jo, Richard and Kirsty), however Mum and Dad fostered for many years, opening their home to hundreds of young people, so I find it difficult to put a number on the amount of children and grandchildren then have.
They would also offer our sofa to those who were homeless, giving them the time and support needed to get themselves back on their feet.
Mum taught English as a foreign language to students from Europe and ran church groups and DofE rallies with Dad.
Over the years mum has been active in a number of churches, in particular St Mary’s & St
John’s California, Wokingham Baptist Church andNorreys Church (as well as the Salvation Army).
She’s never been particularly bothered by the different denominations, believing that God is the same one however you choose to worship him.
Mum continued to do youth work, spending evenings engaging with young people on the street, listening to their problems and handing out stickers telling people “God loves you” and such like…
Mum has always been concerned about people & in particular the homeless which led her to co-found Caritas homeless charity, which raised funds for Seaford Court in Wokingham. This was in the early 90s.
The youth work led her to affiliate herself with JAC and that evolved into the work that she did at the JAC Pad and JAC in a Box. Mum saw it as an opportunity to encourage young people to live life to their full potential & overcome anxieties.
What Mum meant to us as a Mum:
We couldn’t be prouder of Mum & the amazing role model that she has always been. The compassion that she has for people is inspiring & has been present throughout her life.
Mum has always had a simple but clear philosophy & in a letter which she wrote to one of her grandchildren she offered the following advice:
■ Be kind
■ Love God and follow his guidance
■ Be honest
■ Don’t judge others ( you have not walked in their shoes).
Since Chris died, as a family, we have received many tributes.
We’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support from people who knew Mum.
We’ve always known that
Mum was special, but we’ve been surprised at the vast amount of people she has had a positive influence on.
We’ve enjoyed reminiscing and the reminders of all mum has done and the people she cared about.
We’ve been amazed by the volume of messages and cards, which show the impact of Mum’s life.
If anyone does want to give on mum’s behalf, we would ask them to donate to JAC in a Box, via jacoutreach.org